What is 4-H?
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization - empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to go beyond the expected and helping them become Beyond Ready to become leaders, change-makers, engaged citizens, and positive, confident adults.
Who is it for?
4-H Membership is free and available to all youth from ages 5 to 18.
- Youth ages 5-7 are called Cloverbuds
- Youth ages 8-18 are called Members
- Participant age is based on their age as of January 1st of the current calendar year.
4-H Membership is handled on a year to year basis, concurrent with the calendar year. Every January, everyone wishing to participate in 4-H for the year can enroll or re-enroll in 4-HOnline.
That doesn’t mean you’ll miss your opportunity if you join later in the year. However, we encourage everyone to enroll in January so they can stay up to date on all events and activities throughout the year.
Check out our camp offerings for this summer here
Presentation season is approaching! Use this resource page for more information on categories and for helpful resources.
Want to learn more about 4-H?
Check out the drop-down options below.
The Pledges
The Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge are said at club meetings and other 4-H events.
- The Pledge of Allegiance:
- I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
- The 4-H Pledge:
- I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community,
my country, and my world.
- I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
Citizenship is important in 4-H because it teaches young people to be active, responsible members of their communities. It helps them develop leadership skills and a sense of service by showing how their actions can make a positive difference in their communities and the world.
The 4-H Emblem
The official 4-H Emblem is a four-leaf clover with a letter “H” in each leaf and the stem turned to the right. The 4-H Emblem is protected under Title 18 U.S.C. 707, and cannot be used without proper authorization. Copyright laws under guidelines established by Congress protect the 4-H name and emblem. Contact the 4-H Office for guidelines on using the 4-H Emblem.
At its core, 4-H is about youth development. The four Hs represent the holistic approach that 4-H takes in shaping young people into responsible, capable, and engaged citizens.
- Head symbolizes critical thinking, decision-making, and lifelong learning.
- Heart represents empathy, personal integrity, and strong relationships.
- Hands stands for practical skills, community service, and a work ethic.
- Health encourages physical well-being, mental wellness, and healthy lifestyle choices.
Together, these values aim to foster well-rounded individuals who grow not just in knowledge or skill, but in character and purpose—impacting not just themselves, but their communities and beyond.
The 4-H Motto & Slogan
- The 4-H Motto:
- To Make the Best Better
The 4-H motto supports a continuous growth mindset, that youth can keep improving, growing, learning, and refining their skills, talents, and strengths. 4-H encourages youth to focus on self-improvement and a commitment to doing their own personal best. Through this mindset, 4-H members learn to set goals, reflect on progress, and continually work toward becoming stronger leaders and more capable individuals.
- The 4-H Slogan:
- Learn By Doing
The 4-H Slogan is a reflection of our commitment to experiential learning. Youth in 4-H are encouraged to actively engage in their education through hands-on projects, activities, and problem-solving. This approach teaches them practical skills, builds confidence, and allows them opportunities to apply what they have learned in real-world scenarios. By learning through experience, youth gain critical skills and a deeper understanding that will help them further their goals in life and in their future careers.
Chatham County 4-H Crew
